Nail fungus is a common nail infection. It starts as a white or yellowish brown spot below the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection deepens, the nail may discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edge. Nail fungus can affect several nails.
Toenail infection usually occurs when the nail or surrounding skin has a small crack or cut and the area is exposed to fungi in the environment. Most antifungal medications are effective against most forms of toenail fungus, although treatment may take some time, in part because it is difficult to deliver any type of medication through the nail plate to the skin below the nail plate. White superficial onychomycosis is also a rare form of toenail fungus that can occur in people who are otherwise healthy. Toenail fungus doesn't heal until the doctor can detect it in the cutouts of the toenails.
It has a dark brown or black color and can be mistaken for toenail fungus or another toenail problem, such as a bruise. If you've noticed a discoloration on your toenails, especially a yellowish tinge, you may be experiencing the signs and symptoms of a fungal infection on your toenails (onychomycosis). Some sources state that you should expect to see results in a few days or weeks, while others state that over-the-counter medications are only for mild cases of toenail fungus. Endonic onychomycosis In people with endonic onychomycosis, fungi grow between the layers of the toenails.
The doctor can confirm the diagnosis of toenail fungus by looking at the cuts under a microscope and of melanoma by means of a biopsy. Unlike oral medications, many creams and topical antifungal agents have not proven to be as effective in treating toenail fungus. However, searching for over-the-counter medications yields mixed results when it comes to treating discoloration and toenail fungus. In some cases, toenail fungus doesn't cause discomfort, although misshapen toenails can be a problem when wearing shoes.
The fungus enters the toenail through the cuticle and affects the part of the nail closest to the base, turning it whitish in color. Commit to making this part of your daily routine for a good result. You'll be thankful that you did everything you could to cure toenail fungus. Toenail fungus is more likely to cause the toenail to thicken and material to build up under the nail.
A number of health conditions can affect the appearance of toenails and can be mistaken for toenail fungus.
